Rapid Response Medi-Bikes To Hit Aizawl Soon

Aizawl, Mar 5 : Dealing with emergencies has always been a nightmare in Aizawl given its hilly topography and narrow roads. But now the government has come out with a solution to respond to emergencies promptly.

The outgoing director of the state National Health Mission, Dr Gordon Zohmingthanga, has hit upon the idea of introducing "medi-bikes" which can ferry patients faster than the conventional ambulances.

The project has been approved by the Union health ministry and six units of medi-bikes will soon be visible in Aizawl. Mizoram will be the first to introduce this service in the country.

"The idea stemmed from the fact that Aizawl is a tiny hilly city with narrow roads. There are traffic jams. The bike service will ensure healthcare reaches the patient within 20 minutes," he said.

The two-wheeler paramedics team will have life-saving equipment and life-saving drugs and will be attached to the emergency wing of the Aizawl Civil Hospital. "They will act as a Rapid Response Team and reach the patient before the ambulance did," said Zohmingthanga.

Each bike will be allotted two paramedics trained to deal with emergencies. "They will stabilize the patient and once an conventional ambulance reaches the spot, the nurse will accompany the patient in the ambulance while the other paramedic will ride the bike and lead the way. The bikes will be fitted with sirens and beacons," said Zohmingthanga.

The paramedics will work in three shifts. When there are no emergency duties, the paramedics will attend patients at the Civil Hospital.